Category: Random Thoughts

I am concerned about this recent Equifax breach. The breach effected 143M consumers. The breach started in May, and was not discovered until July. The hackers now have the ability to commit identity fraud with the data. So what is Equifax doing for us? I tried to see if I was one of the affected people. I logged onto the dedicated website that Equifax established: www.equifaxsecurity2017.com. Outside of the requisite advice to change your password, FAQs, and a notice saying that Hurricane Irma can effect hotline wait times, they offered very little advice or help. This was no spoiler alert…

Many thanks to those who responded to last week’s blog on Social Security. KUSI picked up the story! Watch it here: http://www.kusi.com/clip/13592385/how-social-security-fits-into-your-plan-when-you-retire. If you have any questions or concerns about your Social Security options, please reach out to me, I am happy to help. Barbara Norman, CFP®, ChFC®…

Social Security was signed into law by President Roosevelt on August 14th, 1935. Social Security is an integral piece in retirement planning. I think it is important to know how your benefits are calculated and how to manage your account. Your Benefit is Based On our Lifetime Earnings The Social Security Administration looks at 35 years of earning history. If you work longer than 35 years, then they use earnings for your highest paid 35 years. If you work less than 35 years, then they will use $0 for the years you do not work. Next, they apply a formula…

I have several family members who live in Houston and the outer lying areas. Floodwaters rose and threatened their homes. My dad’s oxygen tank was cut-off with the electricity. A call to 911 yielded an answering machine that prompted them to leave a message and get in the queue. My sister (a nurse) and her husband were pulling equipment off a shoreline to save their business. A call came and she was mandated to work for 3 days. What a nightmare! My family was fortunate. Two good Samaritans showed up with a generator for my father. They had heard, through…

But you can leave money for your pet. I made trust provisions for my dog. Many people do. Just as you would name a guardian for your child, so can you name a guardian for your pet. Just make sure that person wants the animal! You may wish to think about leaving a sum of money your pet’s care. For example, I asked that money be set aside for veterinary charges, food, and grooming expenses. I won’t say how much money, because my mother would balk. The residual (if any) is to go to the Helen Woodward Foundation. If this…

A lot of people tell me that their college tours are a great bonding experience. But when I sit down and do a cost benefit analysis for college tours in the pre-application phase, the breakdown comes up negative. Pencil this one out. Vacation time is lost, and a lot of money is spent on travel, meals and hotels. At the end of the day, only one college is chosen. In my opinion, this is a colossal waste. I’m not saying you shouldn’t check out a college before you spend those precious application dollars. It’s free to visit websites and take…